Discover valuable info on the FIFA World Cup & explore ways to appreciate the tournament remotely. Additionally, obtain important information regarding FIFA-related scams to ensure your safety.
Overview
Following the conclusion of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, attention in the sporting world has shifted to the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. This event, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, will be hosted collaboratively by the United States, Canada, and Mexico across 16 cities. Marking the first time the tournament is held across three nations, the competition will feature 48 teams (up from the 32-team model of the past) participating in 104 matches at 16 different venues. While the tournament is now more inclusive, tickets are scarce and often very expensive – and many tickets are already sold out.
Understanding ticketing
For ticket information and to learn how it works, visit the official FIFA World Cup 2026 website. Note: Only use official channels to buy tickets and beware of scams, particularly those involving resale tickets. Read on for more about the backlash FIFA faced over ticket pricing. But first…
Gearing up for fun
For those unable to attend in person, we’re sharing fun ways to join in the excitement from afar!
Cool things for non-attendees to know
Even if you can’t be at the stadium, there are many ways to participate in the excitement of the World Cup. Whether you’re watching from home, joining community events, or supporting your favorite teams online, you can still be a part of this historic tournament. First, here’s a little information about FIFA.
FIFA – the international governing body of soccer
Soccer, known as football in many countries, is governed internationally by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Based in Zurich, Switzerland, since 1904, FIFA manages 211 member associations, sets global rules, and organizes the FIFA World Cup. While the International Football Association Board (IFAB) drafts the laws of the game, FIFA enforces them worldwide to support the sport’s growth and uphold its integrity. Tournaments involve men’s and women’s World Cups, as well as various youth and club-level world tournaments.
Brief Early FIFA history
The FIFA organization was founded in Paris, France, on May 21, 1904, by national associations from Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. FIFA held its first international competition in 1906. Initially, only European countries could join FIFA, but starting in 1909, it opened to other countries worldwide because of growing interest and demand. The First World Cup occurred in 1930 in Uruguay and featured 13 nations.
U.S. Cities Hosting FIFA World Cup Matches
Per The Sporting News, New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford), Dallas (Arlington), Houston, Kansas City, Atlanta, Los Angeles (Inglewood), Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco (Santa Clara), Boston (Foxborough), and Miami have been chosen as host cities.
Selected Stadiums
The World Cup was held in Mexico on two previous occasions, 1970 and 1986, with Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara hosting the matches. Canada will be a first-time host of the World Cup matches, centered on activities in Vancouver and Toronto. Note that recent news reports have raised some safety concern regarding potential violence in specific regions of Mexico, which may affect some matches. With focus on America, here are the eleven U.S. stadiums that will experience FIFA action during this 2026 summertime extraordinary event:
*The stadiums will each be temporarily renamed for the tournaments due to FIFA regulations concerning corporate sponsors. The temporary name appears in parentheses following the official stadium name.
| U.S. City/State | Stadium | Seating Capacity |
| East Rutherford, New Jersey | MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium) | 82,500 |
| Arlington, Texas | AT & T Stadium (Dallas Stadium) | 80,000 |
| Kansas City, Missouri | Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Stadium) | 76,416 |
| Houston, Texas | NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium) | 72,220 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium) | 71,000 |
| Inglewood, California | SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium) | 70,240 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Stadium) | 69,796 |
| Seattle, Washington | Lumen Field (Seattle Stadium) | 69,000 |
| Santa Clara, California | Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco Bay Area Stadium) | 68,500 |
| Foxborough, Massachusetts | Gillette Stadium (Boston Stadium) | 65,878 |
| Miami Gardens, Florida | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium) | 64,767 |
Backlash over high pricing
Due to a backlash over high prices, FIFA announced a new ticket category for $60 USD for all 104 matches including the final. However, these limited tickets were intended for “loyal fans” and were distributed via national soccer associations. Again, most tickets are challenging to obtain, leaving people wondering how they can participate in the excitement.
Here are practical ways to enjoy the game if you cannot attend in person:
Those who find themselves unable to attend FIFA matches in person and people who cannot afford regular high-priced tickets can still watch the 2026 FIFA world tournaments through some lower-cost methods:
- Personal television & streaming: If you prefer to stay home and watch, the 2026 World Cup will be broadcast on major networks such as FOX and FS1 in the United States, allowing for free or cable-subscription viewing.
- Public screenings: FIFA will host some free entry “Fan Festivals” in host cities. Though likely crowded and rowdy, these locations offer large-screen viewing experiences plus live entertainment and food and beverage offerings.
- Sports Bars & Restaurants: Local bars, restaurants, and dedicated viewing venues often host watch parties to provide a lively atmosphere absent the high cost of stadium seating.
- Watching with buddies: Frequently, friends gather to watch sports events, with the cable subscription owner inviting guests over to join in the fun.
FIFA Scams
Scammers take advantage of major events. FIFA advises using their official site for ticket purchases and warns against scams involving fake tickets. Buying tickets elsewhere risks getting counterfeit tickets with no entry. Scammers use AI and social media to target fans, stealing money and personal information. Avoid trusting ticket resellers on social platforms, as they may be criminals seeking your money and data. Watch out for these dangers:
- Bogus Contests: Be very wary of contests. Official FIFA contests will never require payment to enter or claim a prize. Nor will they instruct you to pay for shipping or handling to get your prize. Those are scams.
- False Travel Packages: In this scam, fraudulent agents offer all-inclusive travel, hotel and ticket packages that simply do not exist. If you wish to book an all-inclusive trip to a FIFA city, do so using the official FIFA website in partnership with 2026 World Cup suppliers offering flights, hotels, and match tickets. Or book your trip through a reputable travel agency that specializes in sports packages.
- Fake Tickets: Scammers sell or “resell” tickets that look real but aren’t legitimate. These fraudsters typically use fake websites or social media to sell counterfeit or non-existent tickets, sometimes reselling the same ticket multiple times.
- High-Demand Exploitation: In this scam, bad actors exploit high-demand for limited tickets, sometimes going as far as creating fake look-alike websites to steal funds.
- Phishing & Fraudulent Offers: Scammers contact you by email, message, or phone, pretending to be reputable companies and offering prizes or ticket access to steal your money and information. They often use urgent language and fake logos, with varying degrees of sophistication.
- Unrealistic Offers: Typically, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam. This applies to unrealistic ticket prices and other parts of the FIFA experience.
Major events = Spikes in scams
Fraudsters often use major events to target victims, but staying informed about FIFA scams helps folks avoid problems. As always, reporting scams may sometimes help you recover funds – plus it stops scammers and protects others. Report FIFA-related scams to: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
Dynamic pricing – how it affects visitors
If you’re lucky enough to attend the FIFA World Cup or live in a host city – keep this in mind. During major events, local prices for hotels and restaurants often increase due to higher demand. Hotels regularly use dynamic pricing—adjusting rates based on demand—to maximize revenue, especially during holidays and conferences. Automated systems help set these prices, which can rise in advance of events. Restaurants may also raise prices before big occasions or apply dynamic pricing strategies like happy hour discounts. The purpose here is to recognize that activities like going to a FIFA match, spending the night at a hotel, and eating out can lead to significant expenses. Additionally, preplanning is essential. Owing to capacity constraints, tickets should be secured well in advance of the matches and hotel accommodation, and dinner reservations must be prearranged.
Exploring Host Cities to Make Your Own Memories
If you want to enjoy the FIFA atmosphere without attending matches, visit host cities just before or after the games—when demand and prices are lower, attractions are less crowded, and hotel accommodations are readily available. Visiting beforehand is often better than after due to anticipation, excitement, and access to soccer and city-themed merchandise in stores. For authentic items like FIFA t-shirts, mascots, and match balls, check out the official FIFA store.
Exploring cities before seeing them on TV adds an extra layer of enjoyment when you spot familiar locations. If you’re eager to discover a particular host city, fulfill your aspirations by planning your own visit for some well-deserved pre-game or post-game cheer.
Fun fact: Did you know that Philadelphia will host a high stakes Round of 16 match at 5pm on Saturday, July 4, on America’s Semiquincentennial – exactly 250 years since the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence? Head to visitphilly.com for information on the World Cup coming to the historic city!
Disclosure: This article is purely informational and is not intended as a substitute for professional guidance or advice.
